FSU students' father missing

Levinson family continues search for former FBI agent

Apr. 4, 2012

Written by

Matthew Tanner

Staff Writer

Robert Levinson is a 64-year-old American retired FBI agent, resident of Coral Springs, husband of Christine Levinson, father of seven and grandfather of two. He has not been home to his life and family since March 2007.Over five years ago, just before his 59th birthday, Levinson was in Iran on Kish Island for a private meeting.

After speaking to his family, who hated not being able to see him for the few days his trip was meant to last, Levinson entered his meeting, and has not been seen since.The only hope Levinson’s family has received from the people holding him hostage is a proof-of-life video from late in 2010. The FBI has an open case trying to return Levinson home safely to his family.

The case has become more public in recent months, as the FBI placed a $1,000,000 reward for information leading to Levinson’s safe recovery.

Since his disappearance, Levinson has missed many monumental events in his home life, including high school and college graduations, the marriage of one of his daughters and the birth of his second grandchild, Grace.

While these special occasions are often celebrated in complete states of happiness and euphoria, they have been overshadowed in the lives of the Levinson family by one major absence.

Levinson’s youngest daughter Samantha is a senior at Florida State University and is currently finishing up her final semester.

At the end of April, she will receive her degree in media/communication studies and said she hopes to see her father sitting next to her mother in the crowd.

“I would like nothing more than to see my dad in the crowd smiling with pride,” Samantha said. “He has always stressed how crucial an open mind and critical thinking are to the growth of an individual, and graduation is the representation of how I have tried to accomplish that.”

Samantha, who was recently named FSU’s Panhellenic Woman of the Week, said she is preparing for her upcoming internship in Theater Operations position at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

“My dad loves acknowledging how important learning is, and I know he so desperately would want to be here to congratulate me,” said Samantha.

The Levinson’s legacy at FSU does not end after Samantha wraps up her final days in Tallahassee, as her younger brother Doug will begin classes this summer. Doug said he is happy to be at FSU.“I feel that my best opportunity for the highest level of education is at FSU,” Doug said. “I am proud to be able to call myself a ’Nole, like my sister Sam.”Doug said he plans on earning a degree in international affairs and hopes to eventually work for the government on a diplomatic level, or possibly following in his father’s footsteps, pursuing a job with the FBI.“By majoring in international affairs, my ultimate goal is to work for the greater good of the people which my father has said is what drew him to his job in the FBI,” said Doug.The family will continue to do all they can to gain support and coverage to spread the word of their missing father and husband.

They will be waiting—waiting for their comfort and safety, waiting for their reunion, waiting for Robert.

More information can be found at HelpBobLevinson.com. The Levinson family can be supported through Facebook.com/HelpBobLevinson and on Twitter @HelpBobLevinson.

Any information regarding Robert’s disappearance is vital and may be disclosed to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.